Russian national detained in Moldova for collecting intelligence on Transnistria

Border authorities in Moldova have detained a Russian citizen suspected of being a Federal Security Service (FSB) officer and of collecting intelligence.

Source: Security and Intelligence Service of Moldova (SIS), as reported by European Pravda

Details: The man was detained based on information obtained by the Security and Intelligence Service under the supervision of Moldova's Prosecutor's Office for Combating Organised Crime and Special Cases (PCCOCS).

He was detained for the unauthorised collection of information about the Transnistrian region, specifically the security zone.

Following a request from the PCCOCS, the suspect was remanded in custody pending trial for 30 days.

The accused officer allegedly attempted to enter Moldova under a pre-prepared cover story, claiming to be a tourist (specifically to visit monasteries). However his actual final destination was the left bank of the Dniester River.

The purpose of his visit was to gather data and information with a view to storing or using it against Moldova's sovereignty, independence, territorial integrity, national security or defence capability, the agency said.

SIS also added that the man had previously been in Moldova between September 2017 and September 2019, during which time he carried out activities aimed against Moldova's security, independence and territorial integrity.

In this regard, the security service noted that during that period, the foreign national used a diplomatic passport issued by the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs. However, in violation of the provisions of the Vienna Convention, he did not undergo accreditation procedures at Moldova's Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

The criminal investigation into his activities is ongoing, and under the law, the presumption of innocence applies.

Background:

• Earlier, in Lithuania, the Klaipėda Regional Prosecutor's Office referred to court a criminal case against a Russian citizen accused of acting as an officer of the FSB and of being involved in the long-term systematic organisation and coordination of intelligence gathering on behalf of Russia.
• In May, Spain extradited a Ukrainian man suspected of spying for Russia to Germany.
• It was also reported that officers of Poland's Internal Security Agency had detained three nationals on suspicion of espionage for Russia.

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